Combined poker and tongs



J. BLAIR.

Combined Poker and Tongs.

No. 59.547. Patented Nov. 13, 1866.

I/VVE/VTO nrr/VESStS V4 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIGE.

JOHN'BLAIR, OF,ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

COMBINED POKER AND TONGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 59,547, dated November 13, 1866.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN BLAIR, of St. Louis, in the county of St. Louis and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Combined Poker and Tongs; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a side view of my improved instrument closed. Fig. 2 is a side view of the same open. Fig.3 is a side view, partly in section, through the line 00 cc, Fig. 4, of a modification of my improvement. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the same, part of the movable jaw being removed to show the construction. Fig. 5 is a cross-section of the same, taken through the line 3 y, Fig. 3.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts.

My invention consists in an improved instrument which may be used either as a poker or as a pair of tongs, according as it is desired to stir the fire or to perform any of the operations for which a pair of tongs is usually employed.

A is the handle, to the forward end of which the end of the rigid bar B is attached. The forward end of the bar B is pointed and formed into such a shape as will be suitable for use either as the leg of a pair of tongs or a poker, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

G is a movable jaw, the forward end of which is made similar in form to the form of the forward end of the bar B.

Upon the rear end of the movable jaw U is formed a cross-head, c, which said head is channeled. Oneend of the cross-head c is pivoted to the bar B, and to the other end of said cross-head is pivoted the forward end of the connecting-rod D, the rear end of which is pivoted to the short arm, 6, of the bent lever E.

The short arm, 0, of the lever E is channeled for the reception of the bar B, to which it is pivoted.

The long arm, 0 of the bent lever, when the tongs are closed, lies along the handle A, as shown in Fig. 1, and serves as a handle in using the instrument.

F is a spring, one end of which is attached to the end'of the handle A, and has a catch formed upon its inner side, which catches upon the rear end of the long arm, 0 of the lever E, and holds the instrument closed, so that it may be used as a poker.

G is a spring, one end of which is attached to theside of the handle A, and its other end presses against the long arm, 6 of the lever E, forcing it out whenever relieved. from the action of the spring-catch F, and thereby opening the tongs.

The cross-head c and the short arm, 0, of the lever E have been shown and described as being channeled for attachment to the bar B. They may, however, if desired, be pivoted in notches or offsets formed in the sides of the said bar B for their reception. This an rangement makes the construction a little simpler, and does not impair the efficiency of the article.

I do not confine myself to the particular form of the parts or joints herein shown, as they may be varied without departing from my invention.

If desired, the movable jaw 0, connectingrod D, and bent lever E may be replaced by a rigid jaw or bar, H, the end of which is pivoted to the end of the rigid bar B, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. In this case the spring G is placed in the groove formed in the end or handle of the bar B, into which the end or handle A of the bar H shuts down in closing the tongs.

The spring-catch F may also in this case be replaced by the thumb-catch l, pivoted to the side of one of the bars, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and shutting down over both bars, as shown in Fig. 5.

J is a doweling-pin, which may be attached to one of the jaws, as B, and enter a hole in the other jaw, for the purpose of keeping the said jaws or bars in line when the instrument is used as a poker.

1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A combined poker and tongs, made sulr stantially as herein shown and described.

2. The combination, with the rigid bar B, of the movable jaw 0, rod D, and lever E,

' substantially as herein shown and described,

and for the purpose specified.

3. The combination of the spring-catch F with the lever E and handle A, substantially as and for the purpose herein shown and described.

. JOHN BLAIR.

Witnesses:

DAVID E. NATION, B. SULLIVAN. 

